COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – After the average gas price in the Columbus metro area climbed up to a 2024 high of $3.69 per gallon last week, a petroleum analysis expert predicts the worst is behind central Ohio motorists.
Gas prices in Columbus jumped by over a quarter last week, but this week prices dipped by 11 cents to an average of $3.58 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations. The current price is 19.8 cents per gallon higher than one month ago and 11.7 cents higher than one year ago.
The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $3.38 a gallon, while the most expensive was $3.77, a difference of 39 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also dropped by 15 cents per gallon, from $3.64 per gallon to $3.48 per gallon. Nationally, gas prices fell slightly (1.9 cents) to $3.63 per gallon.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, expressed confidence that relief at the pump is on the way.
"Average gas prices have started to cool off in many areas. While the latter half of the summer could potentially see hurricane-related issues, I do sense we've hit the top for now,” he said. "Americans should be optimistic that this summer will be very similar to last year, in line with our early 2024 expectations and likely not featuring record gasoline prices. I'm quite excited the seasonal rise in gas prices appears to be over."
